Lighting control system for airports



Sept. 14, 1948. J, P, H UCK 2,449,480

LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AIRPORTS Filed July 20, 1944 (on 3 fan 1! Curr en a Reyu Zazor INVENTOR James I? Haas/s.

' ATTORN ?atented Sept. 14-, 1943 UNITED PATENT :OFF IC F AIRPOR S 'iminsriire; 1ft, eset-egg; we H otri 'Ciifnerittioh,Eattlittsburgh, 1%;, a tartar-anon 61? "Pennsylvania At thepresentltifliegriiiiwat' marker or ednteet iightsas W611 as flbdiililit dlbi ng'lls d 511 attended airports to great advantage in assisting planes in landing and takji'h or: at night. The use of contact and 'floodli'ghts atluneittendeil airp rts, however, :h'as not to .jmy kndw1edee been attempted for the reason that "suitable control equipment has not been available fbi -bfitrb1lfil these lights at the willof the ,pilot-of aplane in winning or takin brr fibin t e neia Sneh eontr'ol equipment must be po itive and .tfl'e'ziibie in operation and also permit oflalternate'loealoontrial of the lighten desired. Ttl'rnuSItalso'besuoh that it maybe eontrdlled troinai laneapproahmg the field for leaning to .effe'ot the li ting of the proper runway ifthere are more than one in accordance with wind direction and velocity.

Accordingly, the object of .my invention, generan'y stated, is to ,provide for controlling the contact and or .fioodli ghts of airport or landing "field -from ail-airplane -in iiig ht as Well as Wh'en'i'tis upon the ten-1. h

A more specific object-of invention is to provide for controlling the eontaet-and/or hoodli'gh't's of an airport by the -use of a -oon trol asig nal or signals transmitted Zfr-om an airplane,

Another object o'fTmy inventionfis to provide a remote oon'trol system for airport lighting which may be utilized to control the contact and/or floodlights manually or in response to wind direo: tion and wind Velocity orfinresponse to a control signal transmitted "from an airplane.

A "further object oi my invention is to provide a control system fbl airlfioffi lighting which $113111 function in response to a signal transmitted from an airplane to selectively energize "the deeds the predetermined ya-me I V Another object of my invention is to ii'r'dvide meted "to the constant current device ifitlirouh diiiidiialtokeach "group of series bo'rinotd eo the 'op posite "ilviiid affection, rarity one eontaetor either end of the runifiayis 'u'se'awhen azmiiiie' oftaking on, depending upon tnewina direetien;

ac fldt'idligl'it is providea'with a separate etutactor.

in this meme-r of my internist, trtifisian and 'fieeai ghtsf either mam-any erfaummmieeiiy in 'r'es'iionse to a control signal, liiiaj f'f oef fii the fo rm of a radio signal.

- er the pfirpo'seof manumeemrdi, a when.

trol selector switch 45 is provided. This switch functions when actuated in the direction indicated by the arrow to control the energization of the proper one of the group of contactors 33 through 36 for the contact lights and the proper one of the group of contactors 31 through 44 for the fioodlights.

In order to provide for selecting the proper group of contact lights and the'proper floodlight for operation in accordance with wind direction, a wind direction selector, indicated generally at 45, is provided. This device comprises a selec tor switch 4] which is controlled in accordance with the position of a wind direction indicator 48 through the operation of a synchro-tie connec- "longest of the four runways.

gizing circuits of the contactors 33 and 40.

. It will be apparent that when the selector 5 switch 13 is in the position shown, the contaction comprising a transmitter 49 and a receiver 50. The rotor of a transmitter is actuated either 1 directly or through suitable gearing, not shown,

by the wind direction device, and the rotor of the 5| to the moveable contact member 52 of the selector switch 4]. The stator windings of the transmitter and receiver are energized from the source of current through a suitable transformer 9 and conductors 53 and 54, and the three-phase rotor windings are connected together in a well known manner by conductors 55.

The selector switch 4'! is provided with a plurality of contact segments 56, 51, 58, 59, 59, 6|, 52, and 63 which are connected to the operating coils of the contactors '33, 34; 35, and 36 for controlling the contact lights. It will be apparent that opposite segments of the group are connected in parallel to the operating coil of each of the contactors. This is for the purpose of 'ac-' ation of the contact and floodlights in response to tuating the same contactor to efiect the energization of thecontact lights of the same runway when the wind is in one direction or in exactly the opposite direction. Thus, when the movable contact member 52 of the selector switch 41 is in the position shown, the contactor 34 is selected 7 its opposite position from that shown. The same is true with respect to all of the other contact segments of the group 55 through 63.

' The selector switch 41 is also provide with another group'of contact segments 64, B5, 66, 61, 68, 69, Hi, and H for the purpose of selecting the contactors 31 through 44 for controlling the energization'of the fioodlights. In this instance, each of these contactors is connected to an individual contact segment of the selector switch for the reasonthat a particular floodlight must be ener-- gized depending upon the wind direction.

The two groups of contact segments of the se lector switch 47 are so positioned that the proper tors 33 and 40 are selected for subsequent energization regardless of the position of the selector switch 41. V

In order to provide for controlling the opera control signal such as a radio signal, for example, which may be transmitted from a plane either in flight or when upon the ground, a signal responsive device, indicated generally at 81, may be utilized. This device comprises a suitable radio receiver 82 which may be tuned to a particular frequency and a control relay 83, the operation of which is controlled by the receiver. The receiver 82 is connected to ground and to a suitable aerial 84 in the usual manner. It is to be understoodthat when the radio receiver 82 respondsto a particular radio signal, the control relay 83 is'energized and actuated to open its contact members83a and 83b and close its contact member 830; v

The normally closed contact members 83a and 8% control the energizingcircuit for the synchroties in such manner that when the radio receiver functions, this circuit is interrupted to render the wind direction and wind velocity devices ineffective to change the selection of the runway which has already been made.

The contact members 830 of the control relay are connected in the energizing circuits of the contactors 33 through 44. Thus, when contact members 830 close in response to a radio signal, the contactors for controlling the contact lights and the floodlight of a particular runwayare energized from the source of current represented by conductors 21 and 28.

A selector switch is provided for conditioning the system for either local control by means of the manually operated selector 45 or remote control by means of the devices 46, 12, and 8|. 7

In the operation of the system, it may be assumed that the wind direction is as indicated by the device 48, and that the wind velocity is zero or below a predetermined minimum value. With the movable contact element 52 of the selector'switch ll in the position shown, the contactor 34 is selected foroperation by having its energizing circuit partially completed through the movable contact element 52 and the contact segment 58.

At the same time, the movable contact member 52 engages the contact segment 66 which' selects contactor 39 for subsequent operation by partially, completing its energizing circuit.

The contactor 34 which has been selectediunctlons when operated to energize the contact lights l'l. associated with the runway IS. The contacto'r '39 which has also been selected functions when operated to energize the floodlight 2l-loceive'r' 16., Since this synchro-tie is similar to the ,one previously described, it will not be described in detail. The selector switch .13 is provided with two cated at the left or west end of the runway l3, as viewed in the drawing. 7

The complete energizing circuit for these selected contactors extends from the movable contact member 52 of the'selector' switch GEL-through conductor 85 1 to :contactxscgment 718 :of theselectorrswitch i3. :Itwili .be..:noted,. howevenithat since the ::movable contact member 19 f 1 this selector: switch is now in engagement with.uthe short contact segment 11, the circuit whicirwould normally extend through :the 'imovab'le t-contact member 79,. conductor 86, contacti'memberssflc, and switch 89' to one side .of. the source'zofecurrent iS'LLIlOt completed. .Accordingly;: theiwind ;direc tiorr selector 461s ineffective :due to the. IOWQWiHd velocity.

The .i'cir'euit inat'his instance *is controlled by trier-position of the selector switch*f13,'=which;:in response to the closure of A contact members wc ofthe control relay effects the energization of contactors 33 and cfl' -which control the contact lights and one of thefloodlights associated with the longest-runway M. In this 'instanca' the contactor lii efieets' the-energ-ization of 'the'floodlight 22.

=Inresponse to theoperation of the: control relay 335th: contactmembers 83a arid S'Sbare opened to" deenergize the synchro-tie elements of the devices 48 and M. This; as-'explained='hereinbe'fore, eliminates the possibility of having these devices respond to a sudden increase-in wind velocity to change the selected runway" at any time. This condition exists'so' long as the control relay 83 is energized, and, therefore, the selected runway may be retained 'in a lighted condition so long as the-radio signal is being transmitted regardless 'of whether the" plane ls still in fiight'or' has landed'or is preparing to takeoff.

It will be apparent thatif .the'wirid velocity is such as to cause the movable contact member: 19 of the selector switch 13 to engage its stationary contact segment 78, the wind direction selector ifiwill be rendered effective to selecti'the proper runway in accordance with wirid fdirec'tion. Thus, assuming that this condition of wind velocity exists when the control relay 83 is..energized and the wind'direction selector'dfi .is in the position shown, contactors' 34 and 39 willbe selected and energized. The closurebf. contactor 3d energizes the contact lights'll of runway .13, and the closure of contactori39.:energizesthe floodlight at the'west end bf this same runway.

Therefore, so longasthe selector switch'l3 isin In the event that it is desired to control the contact and floodlights locally by means of the manual control switch 45, the selector switch 80 may be actuated tothe local position opposite to the position shown. This interrupts the energizing circuit extending'throughithe control relay 83 and the selector switches 73 and fl. The control of the contactors fi through" 44 is effectedin the same mannermthrough the functioning-of the control switch 45.as .its contactzrelements'l Qi'through 98 are connected inrparallel circuit relation to thewcontact elements 56 through 63 of the selector. switch 41, these two groups of contact elements functioning :torcontrol the. group of contactors 33. through 36.

The same is true with respect to the other group of contact elements 99 through H16 of the selector switch 45 whichyare connected in parallel circuit relation with thefotheri group of -contact switchmeansl elements flithrougha I nor; the selectorrswitchil'l. Whenithemnovablezcontactrimember "l 01 vjn-ofzithe selectorlswitch-t' ifi is actuatedi'counterclockwise' in theidirectiorrofitherarrow; it energizes 'themroper one of ::the (group ot .contacltors 5.331131111011Qh1335 controlling :ithe contact :rli'ghts .sand .the wproper one 20f the: group not 'icontactors T: 31 through 44 controlling :2 the ffloodlights. since: it is "believed that athesenergizing. circuits .established by the operationxof thisswitclr a're obvious, they willwnot be described'rin detail.

In- "viewsbfuthe foregoing description -of ray-em vention, 'it"will be apparent that'I'have provided for montrolling i the operation -of the contact and /or -'fioodlights on an airport in su'clr manner that the airport may lie used "regardless -of whether or not an attendant is-present. "The system-is par ticula'rly suitable io'r useat remotely located airports -which do not have operators present avail-times or -at'any time. *It-isalso suitable" for use on air fields which are utilized for emergency landings, and in this respect," the radio signalcont-rol alonewi'thout the use of the local manual control maylce utilized. The radio signal control'ieature of the system-may-alsdbe applied *to "present-systems which-proVide only for manu'alcontrol.

It isapparent thatcertain-changesand modifications may-"be made in'the'system as disclosed without departingflfrom the principles oi"'the invention.

'I claim as thy-invention: V

1. A --control system for lighting circuits compri-sing,"means including a firstselector switch operable 'in'response towind direction for selecting one' ofisaidslightingcircuits" for operation in accordance with'winddirec'tion; means includin a 'controlrelay responsive to a controrsignal operable to efiect the energization: of the selected lighting circuit, and second selector switcnmeans responsive to-wind' velocity operableto render said-relay effective toefiect energiza'tion of only a predetermined one of said lightingpircuitsregarrdlessof the selectionmadein accordance with wind direction in the event that the wind velooity is belowa predetermined value, said control relay functioning when operated to render said first andsecondselector'switch means ineffective to change the-selection made. 7

2. -A"systern =forselectively controlling the operation er a plurality of" lighting circuits connected for energization to a constant current supplycircuit comprising, an electrically operated switch for controlling the 'energization o'f each lighting circuit, -said switches "having operating windingsmconnectedl :in: parallel: circuit: relation across: a: common operating circuit; firstv switch means. responsive .to iwindldire'etion operable to preselecti one i of 1Said 'SWifiGh'eSl' for. operation by closingitsaindii/idual" circuit,- second switch .means responsivento rwind: velocity aoperableiwhen-I' the wind ivelocityzrexceedsz aisprecl'etermined .value' to render; saidipreselectedxswitch responsive to clo surez-iof .-:the; common; operating circuit and-ampere detreminedyalue torendersonly .ar-predetermined one bfiisaid; switches responsive: rte :closure rot-the.

common: operating; circuit .xindependentlysi'ot; ithe selected switch; and switchrmeans responsive. to a; .eontrolaisignal forwxzlosing;saidlcommonoperat ingrcirnuitnridion :nendering-izsaidz-first.endoscooncl-rswitclr-meansz ,inefiectiyelto: change .the..-:se lectionsmadeg duringisuch. timeras the icommon operating: circuit] isl -beiiimhelcl ,iclcsedlw lay-w said 7 3. 'A system for selectively controlling the en-' ergization of the contact and/or floodlights of'a plurality of runways of an airport comprising, electrically operated switch means for controlling the energization of the lights associated with each runway, means including a first electro-responsive position transmitting element responsive to wind direction for selecting one of .said switch means for operation, means including a second electro-responsive position transmitting element responsive to wind velocity operable to render said means ineffective to make a' selection in the event that the wind, velocity. does not exceed a predetermined value and to select only a predetermined switch means for operation, and relay means operableinresponse to a control signal for energizing any one of the selected switch means, said relay means being effective when so operated to render said first and second electro-responsive position transmitting means ineffective so long as said relay means remains in its operated condition. i

4. A system for selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of groups of contact lights associated with a plurality of runways of an airport comprising, an electrically operated switch individual to each group of contact lightsfor controlling the energization thereof, means responslve to wind direction, first selector switch means, first electrical means actuated by said means responsive to wind direction for actuat ing the first selector switch means for selecting one of said electrically operated switches for operation, relay means responsive to a radio sig nal'for energizing any selected switch means, means responsive to wind velocity, second selector switch means, and second electrical means actuated by saidmeans responsive to wind velocity for actuating the second selector switch means to determine whether a selected switch means will be energized by the :relay means or a predetermined one of said switch means only will be energized independently of the selection made, said relay means also functioning when operated in response to a radio signal to render the first and second electrical means ineifective.

5. A system for selectively controlling the operation of a plurality of groups of contact lights and/or a fioodlight associated with a plurality of runways of an airport comprising, electrically operated switch means operable to connect an associated group of lights to a current source, an energizing circuit for said switch means including a common conductor disposed to be connected to a source of control current, a first selector switch operable to selectively preset one of the switch means for energization in response to the energization of said common conductor, means including electroresponsive position transmitting means responsive to wind direction for actuating said selector switch, a second selector switch means operable to selectively render the first selector switch ineffective to preset one ofv the switch means for energization and to preset a predetermined one of the switch means'for energization, means including electroresponsive position transmitting means responsive to wind velocity for actuating saidsecond selector switch, and relay means responsive to a radiosignal for controlling the energization of a selected switch means, said relay means being further efiective,

when .in its operated position to render said electro-responsive position transmitting means asso-.

ciated with both selector switches inefiective.

6. A system for selectively controlling the op erationof a plurality of groups of contact lightsand/or a floodlight associated with a plurality of runways of an airport comprising, electrically operated switch means operable to connect an associated group of lights to a current source, an energizing circuit for said switch means including a common conductor disposed to be connected to a source of control current, a first selector switch operable to selectively preset one of the switch means for energization in response to the energization of said common conductor, means including electroresponsive position transmitting means responsive to wind direction for actuating said selector switch, a second selector switch means operable to selectively render the'first sition transmitting means responsive to wind ve-' locity for actuating said sec-0nd selector switch, an energizing circuit for connecting the electroresponsive position transmitting means to a source of current, and relay means responsive to a radio signal for controlling the energization of a selected switch means, said relaymeans being effective when actuated to either connect the said common conductor or said predetermined one of the switch means to a current source and to interrupt the energizing circuit of the electroresponsive position transmitting means.

'7. A system for controlling the energization of. the contact lights of a plurality of runways of an airport comprising, electrically operated switch means for controlling the energization of the, lights of each runway, first control means responsive to wind direction only operable toselect for energization the switch means control ling the energization of the l ghts of a particular runway in accordance with wind direction, second control means responsive to wind velocity only operable in response to a wind velocity exceeding a predetermined value for rendering the selection of said first control means effective and operable in response to a wind velocity below said predetermined value to select only a predetermined one of said switch means for opera ation, said first and second control means including electrically operated elements, an energizing circuit therefor, and relay means responsive to a radio signal operable to effect energization of the selected switch means and to render the first and second control means ineffective to change the selection of a switch means during such time as the relay means is under the control of the radio signal by interrupting their associated energizing circuit.

JAMES P. HOU CK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,638,417 Sperry Aug. 9, 1927 1,673,369 Mills June 12, 1928 I 1,776,111 Donaldson Sept. 16,1930 2,052,333 Williams L Aug. 25, 1936 j 2,325,258 Mallory July 27, 1943! 2,4o7,949 Corcanges Sept. 17, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS c Number Country Date 299,699 Great Britain Aug.'15, 1929 

